SXSW Day 7 Wrap-Up: Michelle Obama's Podcast Debut, Fospha's Masterclass Insights, and More!

SXSW 2025 is here, and Unofficially SXSW is your go-to source for real-time updates, expert insights, and must-attend sessions. Whether you're in Austin or following remotely, we’ll bring you the biggest trends, exclusive interviews, and daily highlights straight from the event. Stay connected for live coverage—follow us on Instagram and TikTok.

Day 7 at SXSW 2025 was packed with high-energy sessions, star power, and cutting-edge insights. From Michelle Obama’s inspiring live podcast recording to Julia Fox’s bold fashion moment and Fospha’s game-changing masterclass on Amazon sales, the festival continues to deliver unforgettable moments. As we gear up for the final stretch, here's a look back at the standout highlights from Day 7.

Highlights from Day 7

️ Michelle Obama’s Live Podcast Recording: A Deep Dive into Hope and Resilience

On March 13, former First Lady Michelle Obama and her brother Craig Robinson recorded the first live episode of their new podcast, IMO, at SXSW. Joined by Yale psychologist Dr. Laurie Santos, they discussed transforming despair into hope, emphasizing the importance of community and meaningful connections in achieving true happiness. The full episode will be available on March 21.

➡️ Read more

Julia Fox Turns Heads with Avant-Garde Fashion at 'Idiotka' Premiere

Keynote Spotlight:

The Future of Marketing: Asking Better Questions

According to a fascinating article by Cheil North America (read it here), the future of marketing isn’t about having the perfect answers—it’s about asking better questions. Cheil’s team at SXSW shared four game-changing questions that are reshaping the industry:

➡️ Do people really have short attention spans—or are they just uninterested?
People binge 10-hour docuseries and get lost in TikTok rabbit holes. The challenge isn’t capturing attention—it’s sustaining interest. Fospha’s insights on the Halo effect echo this idea: brands that deeply understand consumer behavior (even beyond platform-specific data) will win.

➡️ Does AI kill creativity—or just expose mediocrity?
AI isn’t replacing great ideas; it’s exposing weak ones. Fospha’s Unified ROAS underscores this point—creativity combined with smart measurement is the formula for success.

➡️ Can we trust what customers say they want—or should we be listening to their subconscious?
Neuromarketing shows that subconscious reactions don’t always align with what people claim to want. Fospha’s measurement model helps brands cut through this noise by linking marketing spend to actual purchase behavior.

➡️ What if the way we use time matters more than how much of it we have?
Marketing isn’t about doing more—it’s about doing the right things faster. Fospha’s Halo model helps brands stop wasting budget and refocus efforts on channels that deliver measurable ROI.

Fospha’s data-driven approach to marketing answers many of these questions head-on, helping brands turn insights into measurable impact.

Fospha’s Masterclass: Unlocking the Halo Effect on Amazon Sales

Fospha hosted an insightful masterclass titled Halo: Measure and Maximize the Impact of Your DTC Ads on Amazon Sales with Unified ROAS. Led by CPO Dom Devlin, the session unveiled research on the "Halo effect," demonstrating how off-platform advertising on channels like TikTok, Meta, and Google drives Amazon sales.​

Attendees learned how to:

• Measure the true impact of DTC ads on Amazon sales.

• Allocate budgets effectively to channels that drive Amazon growth.

• Gain a competitive edge ahead of major sales events like Prime Day.​

This masterclass provided actionable insights for brands aiming to unify their marketing measurement and unlock full value.

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Looking Ahead: Fospha at Shoptalk Spring in Las Vegas

Fospha continues its commitment to empowering brands with data-driven insights. They will be hosting a series of masterclasses at Shoptalk Spring in Las Vegas from March 25–27, covering topics such as:

• Full-Funnel TikTok Strategies: Leveraging TikTok for comprehensive marketing funnels.

• Measuring Amazon Performance: Understanding cross-platform impacts on Amazon sales.

• Scaling Acquisition with Smart+ Campaigns: Utilizing advanced strategies for customer acquisition.

Check out the full schedule here: Fospha Shoptalk Events

Stay tuned—this year’s event continues to shape up to be even bigger!

See you tomorrow,
The Unofficially SXSW Team

Unofficially SXSW is an independent publication and is not affiliated with SXSW.

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